BSc (Hons) Computing (Top-up)
Our BSc (Hons) Computing (top-up) is ideal as a next step from a foundation degree, HND or equivalent diploma in Computing or Software Engineering. It’s a practical and far-reaching undergraduate programme that’s designed to support you with focused attention, industry insights and excellent IT resources.
BSc (Hons) Computing (Top-up)
Award
BSc (Hons)
Start Date
To be confirmed
Duration
1 year
Mode
Full-time
Location
University of Greater Manchester
UCAS Code
G405
Our BSc (Hons) Computing (top-up) is ideal as a next step from a foundation degree, HND or equivalent diploma in Computing or Software Engineering. It’s a practical and far-reaching undergraduate programme that’s designed to support you with focused attention, industry insights and excellent IT resources.
Block Teaching
Course Overview
Of all the excellent computing degree options available at the University of Greater Manchester, this is the most hands-on. It draws on key elements from other study pathways to give you a wide-ranging, industry-informed programme. Building on your previous studies, you’ll have the opportunity to focus on aspects of the subject you have personal interest and strengths in or that support your career or further study goals.The department's strong links with business mean you'll have the chance to work on 'live briefs' in your coursework assignments, so you'll have the opportunity to enjoy real-world context and application for the skills and knowledge we'll help you develop. We'll also support you in building lifelong learning skills so you can take ownership of your professional development for the future and maximise your potential for success.
With intentionally small class sizes, we can offer you more meaningful and personalised interaction with our dedicated and enthusiastic lecturers, many of whom are active researchers and come with extensive industry insights and experience. Meanwhile, guest speakers and lecturers give you access to highly relevant and up-to-date input from industry settings.
All of this is backed by our well-equipped IT suites, where you can apply and develop your learning individually and in groups with expert guidance and support.
Highlights
- Our Computer Science courses are 5th in the UK for Student Satisfaction, according to The Complete University Guide 2026.
- Your teaching and tutorial team brings an impressive range of professional experience and technical prowess to the course, so you’ll have the chance to explore and evaluate a range of perspectives relating to your studies.
- Manchester is a thriving digital hub and home to a wide range of digital technology businesses. The region offers plenty of opportunities to network and exchange ideas. Our guest lecturer programme invites professionals to come and share their expertise so that you can benefit from their experience.
- A big part of our commitment to your progress is helping you develop your employability and industry networks. So we’ll encourage you to attend guest lectures that give your learning context, offer industry contact, and contribute to your underlying professional development.
- By structuring our module content, assignments and projects to mimic industry processes and standards, we aim to provide an industry-relevant education that leads you towards a successful career.
- We continually monitor and update the course to reflect current and ever-changing computing issues and keep your learning in line with technological advances and innovations.
Key Features
- The department, and the wider University, provides a warm and friendly environment for your studies, with relatively small class sizes, purpose-built teaching facilities, and excellent student support and library services.
- We’ll focus on your individual needs and provide personalised support to help find the learning strategies that best support your learning and ultimate success.
- Our dedicated laboratories, servers and end hosts feature high-specification hardware and the latest software, so you'll have industry-equivalent hands-on experience.
- As you'd expect, many of our computing facilities are accessible online, so you can work on your assignments wherever you are and whenever inspiration kicks in.
- We'll support you in building a portfolio of work that demonstrates your skills in developing content for a range of different target devices. This can put you in an advantageous position when you approach potential employers.
- By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Manchester, one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, is less than 20 minutes away by train. Not forgetting, the North West of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline and heritage. This makes the University of Greater Manchester an ideal base from which to explore some of the best cultural and outdoor activities the UK offers.
Entry Requirements
- You’ll have successfully completed a foundation degree (FdSc) or higher national diploma (HND) in computer networking or computer security (or another relevant qualification comprising at least 120 credits at HE4 and 120 credits at HE5). Alternatively, you may hold a professional qualification in computer science at an equivalent level; for instance, an APTECH Advanced Diploma in Software Engineering with an overall credit or distinction profile.
- We’ll be happy to consider your application if you have non-standard qualifications and/or proven relevant experience in the computing industry.
- You’ll be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
- If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
With computing technologies playing a greater role in all aspects of modern life, our graduates find their skills in high demand across a wide range of industries.
The University of Greater Manchester's BSc (Hons) Computing (top-up) degree combines theoretical study and practical projects. You can learn subject-specific skills such as programming, systems, databases, computer platforms, website production and networking. This degree also supports the development of soft skills such as communication, leadership, and organisation, all of which are highly sought after by employers.
Completing your honours-level studies should prove valuable in helping you achieve your career goals.
What can I do with this qualification?
Some typical employers include IT consultancies and IT service providers. However, most businesses rely on computers to function effectively, so there are opportunities in telecommunications, aerospace and defence, financial services, retail, healthcare, manufacturing and the public and third sectors.
After completing this degree, you might also set up your own business offering web design or IT consultancy.
A popular postgraduate route is teaching. Alternatively, you might choose to continue your development within computing via a master's degree or PhD in areas such as networks and security or software engineering.
Alternative career options
Graduates can use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. Some possibilities include:
- Digital copywriting
- IT sales
- IT training
- Teaching
- Research and development
- Network engineering
- Product management
- Technical writing
- Social media management
- Cyber security
- Information systems management
- Games development
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Greater Manchester’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@greatermanchester.ac.uk for more information.
International Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Greater Manchester’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@greatermanchester.ac.uk for more information.
Bursaries
Important note regarding tuition fees: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
Home Undergraduate Tuition Fee Adjustment
The tuition fee applicable to the first year of your programme of study is confirmed in your offer letter. The tuition fee set is based on the regulations and guidance in force at the time of offer but remains subject to adjustment in accordance with any government-approved inflationary increase. The University reserves the right to amend tuition fees for all years of study, including the first year, by no more than the maximum increase permitted under legislation and regulatory guidance issued by the UK Government and the Office for Students.
Where such increases are approved, they will not exceed the rate of inflation, as measured by an appropriate index such as the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), or any successor measure specified by government. The University will apply any adjustment consistently across affected student cohorts and will give reasonable notice to students of any confirmed change to the published fee before the start of the relevant academic year.
This approach ensures that tuition fees remain compliant with applicable legislation, proportionate to inflationary changes, and consistent with government policy linking permitted fee uplifts to the maintenance of high-quality education and outcomes. For more information, please refer to the government guidance at: gov.uk – Universities to deliver better outcomes in return for full fees.
Postgraduate and International Tuition Fee Adjustment
The tuition fee applicable to the first year of your programme of study is confirmed in your offer letter. The University reserves the right to amend tuition fees for subsequent years of study in accordance with its Course Fees Policy. Where such increases are approved, they will not exceed the rate of inflation, as measured by an appropriate index such as the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), or any successor measure specified by government. The University will apply any adjustment consistently across affected student cohorts and will give reasonable notice to students of any confirmed change to the published fee before the start of the relevant academic year.
How to apply
Teaching & Assessment
Lectures introduce the core course content, while practical laboratory sessions give you practical experience and help consolidate your learning. Tutorials allow you to ask specific questions and discuss topics and techniques you've covered in lectures and laboratory sessions. Case studies and practical scenarios will enable you to apply theory to practice and enjoy real-world insights into computing in commercial environments.
Small class sizes mean we get closer to you as an individual and better understand and support your learning preferences and ambitions.
Assessment-wise, you can expect a combination of assessed practical demonstrations, reports, coursework, and others. These summative assessments contribute to your final marks and are your chance to show you've met the learning outcomes for the course. Formative assessments, on the other hand, feature throughout your studies. While they don't contribute to your module or final marks, they inform and support your development by helping you build on your strengths, overcome any perceived weaknesses, and find the study strategies that best support your ultimate success.
This programme adopts a blended learning and teaching style, including online delivery and engagement where appropriate.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Research and Professional Issues
- Project
- Software Quality Management
- Applied Machine Learning
- Emerging Technologies
- Operations Management
- Natural Language Processing and Generative AI
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Coursework 100% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 77% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 23% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
Postgraduate Options
Programme Contacts
Disclaimer: The “Greater Manchester Way” represents our preferred teaching and learning approach; however, not all courses follow a block-teaching model. While course structures and delivery patterns may vary to meet Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) requirements, all courses benefit from the GM Way approach to curriculum design and assessment. Applicants and students should refer to individual course specifications for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
